A registered dietitian shares four practical nutrition goals for the upcoming year, focusing on sustainable habit changes rather than drastic overhauls. These targets aim to diversify dietary intake and reinforce established healthy practices.
Embracing Culinary Exploration: One New Recipe Per Week
Many people fall into food ruts, relying on the same meals repeatedly. This dietitian aims to combat that by cooking one new recipe weekly. This isn’t just about variety; it’s a form of mini-meal prep, ensuring adequate protein and fiber intake through pre-made portions. The key is to re-introduce enjoyment into the kitchen, breaking out of comfort zones and rediscovering the pleasure of cooking.
Supporting Local Agriculture: Joining a CSA
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs offer direct access to fresh, seasonal produce from local farms. While the dietitian has considered joining one before, this year she’s committing. The benefit is twofold: supporting local farmers and organically introducing new foods into her diet. The challenge lies in choosing from the many CSA options available in her area.
Reinforcing Supplement Consistency: Daily Creatine Intake
The dietitian previously experienced the benefits of daily creatine supplementation – increased energy, reduced muscle soreness, and improved strength gains. After a period of inconsistency due to life changes, she’s recommitting to a daily routine. The approach is seamless integration: adding creatine to everyday foods like oats, yogurt, or chia pudding. Convenient drink mixes also eliminate barriers when traveling.
Prioritizing Seafood Consumption: 2-3 Servings Weekly
Despite enjoying seafood, this dietitian has historically fallen short of recommended intake levels (at least two servings weekly, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Heart Association). Her goal is to make seafood a consistent priority. This involves stocking up on convenient options like canned salmon and tuna, keeping frozen varieties on hand, and exploring seafood delivery services.
These goals are not about radical change, but about small, sustainable adjustments to improve dietary variety and reinforce established health habits. The focus is on feasibility and enjoyment, ensuring long-term adherence rather than short-lived resolutions.
